Page:Twenty Thousand Verne Frith 1876.pdf/91



CHAPTER X.

THE MAN OF THE SEA.

was the commander of the vessel who had spoken.

At those words, Ned Land suddenly arose; the steward, half strangled, staggered out at a sign from his master; but such was the discipline enforced, that the man did not even by a gesture betray his resentment against the Canadian. Conseil was interested, in spite of himself, and I stood petrified with astonishment. We all awaited the dénouement in silence. The commander, leaning against the table, regarded us fixedly. Did he hesitate to speak, or was he regretting having addressed us in French? It might be so.

After a silence of some minutes, which none of us ventured to break:

“Gentlemen,” said he, in a calm and penetrating tone, “I can speak French, English, German, and Latin with equal facility. I was therefore quite capable of replying to you at our first interview, but I wished to learn first, and reflect afterwards. Your respective accounts of your adventures agreeing in all important particulars assured me of your identity. I am now aware that chance has